Gender justice

Transforming relationships and addressing imbalances and injustice

All people are created in God’s image as equals in rights and dignity. That is the theological concept on which gender justice is based. Gender justice recognizes and addresses systems and situations of imbalance and injustice to help transform relationships between people.

Together with its member churches and World Service country programs, the LWF develops tools and resources to ensure gender equality at all levels of work and ministry. We do this through awareness raising, action, advocacy, and accountability to overcome discrimination, sexism, and violence. Partnering with the United Nations and other secular and faith-based organizations, we have a specific focus on women’s human rights and economic empowerment and the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence in churches and broader society. LWFviews men and boys as partners in its quest for gender justice in both church and society.

Women Advocacy Training 2019-109-2

The LWF along with partners, set up a four-day training workshop on Women Human Rights Advocacy for Faith-Based Organizations. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay

Related Content

Programmatic Subsites

Partners

Young Women's Christian Association   World Council of Churches Women's program   16 Days of Activism against Gender based violence

Gender Justice Policy

The LWF Council approved the LWF Gender Justice Policy in 2013. Our faith reflection on gender and power of 2009 and inclusivity and gender justice resolutions of the Eleventh LWF Assembly held in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2010 laid the foundation for this vital tool. The gender justice policy will assist the communion in achieving equality between women and men by implementing measures that promote justice and dignity.

Download as PDF (EN)

Collaboration with LWF programs

WICAS helps shape theological reflection from the Department for Theology and Public witness, focusing on gender perspectives and women in theology. We interact with the Department for Mission and Development through programs on inclusiveness, both globally and regionally, and we work jointly with the LWF's humanitarian arm, World Service, to ensure that staff and policies reflect the LWF understanding of gender justice.

Mask Group 33

Milestones in LWF history

The story of women's representation in the communion at a global level begins in the 1950s. SInce then, it has evolved into a fully-fledged department and program, recognised throughout the communion for its commitment to gender justice and women's empowerment. 

  • 1952 – Women’s section initiated at second LWF Assembly at Hannover, Germany 
  • 1970 – Women’s Desk instituted at the fifth LWF Assembly at Evian, France 
  • 1975 – First Advisory Committee to Women’s Desk is appointed 
  • 1984 – LWF ensures at least 40% women’s participation in assemblies 
  • 2001 – Churches Say NO to Violence against Women 
  • 2009 – Council receives faith reflection on gender and power document 
  • 2010 – Eleventh Assembly adopts principles of inclusivity and gender policy 
  • 2011 – LWF ensures equal salaries for its female and male employees   
  • 2011 – Gender Advisory Group provides guidelines and values for a gender policy 
  • 2013 – Launch of the LWF Gender Justice Policy 
  • 2017 – Resolutions and message from the Twelfth Assembly
Related News

Contact

Rev. Dr Marcia Blasi
Program Executive for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment

Get Involved

Share with us your stories, photographs and insights using the #LWF